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Connecting a WhatsApp Business API to chat with customers over WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is a cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook. As of February 2019, WhatsApp has over 1.5 billion active users in over 180 countries.
The WhatsApp Ecosystem
Due to the popularity of WhatsApp, many people are using different versions of the application for various purposes. The standard WhatsApp is commonly used for personal purposes, while both WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API can be used for official company operations.
WhatsApp does not allow companies to connect directly to their WhatsApp Business API or create business accounts on their own. To create a WhatsApp Business API account you'll need to apply through a WhatsApp Partner.
Once a WhatsApp Partner has approved and provisioned your WhatsApp Business API account with a phone number you may connect it to the YesHello platform and manage WhatsApp messages just like any other channel.
We are integrated with the following WhatsApp Channel Providers.
Provider | Use Case | Pricing Model | Billing Cycle | Min Monthly Charge | Session^ Messages Included | Connect^^ Existing WhatsApp Number | API Account Application |
Production | Per Month | Monthly | $15 | None | YES | ||
Production | Per Message | Monthly | < $1 | None | NO | ||
Production | Message Bundle | Annually | $50 | 15,000/day* | YES | ||
Production | Active Users | Enterprise | Enterprise | N/A | NO | ||
Testing | Per Month | Monthly | $39 | 6,000/day | YES |
^ WhatsApp API has a Session Messaging Window of 24 hrs. Companies must reply to customers within 24 hrs to send a Session Message. Otherwise a Template Message must be used.
^^ Some providers allow connecting their WhatsApp API to your current WhatsApp number. Others will require you to purchase/rent numbers from them.
*MessageBirds cheapest plan includes 15,000 Session Messages, subscription is billed annually.
Chat API is not an Official WhatsApp Partner. Chat API should only be used as a temporary solution while you are waiting for Official WhatsApp API account approval.
Last modified 2yr ago